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Who's game?

After watching the Happy documentary, I've been mulling over the idea of happiness. One evening, I was reading a magazine, and a single quote gave me a lightbulb moment...

"Happiness isn't being cheerful all the time," says John Sharp, a psychiatrist and Harvard Medical School. "It's being interested in things—finding out more about something, learning how to appreciate something better, incorporating something new that fits with what you already have."

So! Inspired, I decided to have more everyday adventures this fall. Then I wondered if I should make it a new series on the blog, since it's more fun to do things as a group. Would you want to join me?

How it would work: Each week, I'll issue a single challenge. (Think: learn to tell a great joke, write a handwritten letter, go see a movie by yourself.) The following week, we'll regroup and share our experiences! What do you think?!

The challenge for this week, should you choose to accept it, could be to not watch TV for a week. (Or, at least, cut way back.) And see what surprising things unfold in your life...

Thoughts? Are you in? Does this sound fun to you? Fingers crossed, I really hope so!!!

Totally in, my whole life and blog as well goes around finding your own happiness! Be your own best friend has become a motto for me, it works in many areas of life...I have cut back on TV already, although I LOVE some shows and those I appreciate so much more and look forward to! (e.g Downton Abbey...)Caroline

Haha! I might be cheating by participating in this one. We haven't had cable in our 4 years of marriage and aren't getting it anytime soon. We have never missed it. Sometimes we'll watch shows online but that's about it. If this encourages any participants at all: you will LOVE it! And if you're itching to sit on a couch and relax, pick up an easy and good book instead. Have fun!

Totally in!! My husband and I cut the cord last spring (got rid of cable) and got a roku box so now we only watch hulu, netflix, amazon, and hbogo. Far from a tv-less life, but no bravo, no HGTV, no background noise. We have to consciously decide to put on EVERY program we watch, so the 24 hour law & order marathons that we used to love are a thing of the past. It's been so helpful to keep us engaged and involved with our 10 month old little boy!

I'm in! Have you read The Happiness Project, or Happier at Home? They were both full of info on the science behind happiness as well as the most basic, day to day "how can I spend my days better" kind of thing. Highly recommended! :)

I rarely watch tv.... (only for like 10 minutes at night while I'm on the web) and I don't feel like I'm missing out at all! In fact, I find it quite sad when so many people allude to television shows and actors in their conversation...ugh!

Since my husband and I got married and moved into our apartment 3 years ago, we have never been able to afford cable. We don't have netflix, either. So I hardly ever watch TV unless I'm at my parents' house, although we rent movies frequently from redbox or watch the occasional Gilmore Girls rerun on DVD. It has been so freeing to let go of veggie in front of the TV, that I honestly don't know that I would want cable even if we could afford it. It's such a time-suck! I'd rather read a book or write. I feel like TV, at least for me, steals my motivation to think creatively or be physically active.

I love this! My husband thinks I should be cheerful all the time, but in reality I'm quite content despite not always being 'giddy'. I'm constantly exploring nutrition and recipes and new ways to do the things I've always done in the kitchen. I enjoy finding new sewing projects and teaching myself new skills in those areas. So I would say I'm quite happy!We really enjoy watching a couple shows together each week (we don't share many other hobbies), but I'd be happy to cut any extraneous TV. Especially the kids shows that tend to be in the background during the day...

This sounds great! I always try to challenge myself to do things like this, but I often forget or give up. I love that a group of people around the country (and world) will be in on it too! Can't wait!

I love it. I recently moved, and when I did, I left my tv with my old roommate. Its been so nice to not watch it. I read more, listen to records or the radio (sidenote: I'm mildly obsessed with NPR), and have more time. Its fantastic. I look forward to the next challenge! Great idea.

My husband and my wedding anniversary was yesterday; we use this day as our 'new year's resolution' day. Granted, it's only been two years, but we've decided to focus this year on 'doing more'. I have a 9 month old, and suddenly having that 'me time' stripped (happily, mind you) I'm learning to refocus on what is important. I'm in!

After your "10 Best Documentaries" post, I went out and borrowed Born Rich and Happy from the library. (No Netflix for me--yet.:) It's interesting to watch them back to back, with Born Rich first.

And I love everyday adventures. I try to make it a point to take a new (or at least different) work to or from work, or order a new menu item, or some other small thing like that every day. Changes things up and keeps 'em interesting. Plus it just helps me get to know my area better.

This sounds like so much fun. I'm in! This first challenge will be easy as we don't have tv in our house. We have television sets with dvd players hooked up to them, but we don't have cable or anything. So I will not watch any dvds for a week, and no shows online either. Love the idea of weekly challenges!

Love this idea, I'm always up for a challenge that causes me to be more intentional with how I spend my time. I don't watch a lot of tv right now because I find that I end spending time mindlessly watching things when I would rather be reading, creating, being outside, spending time alone, or with people. This will be fun!

This sounds great! I always love it when you post about going to the movies alone. With three little kiddos and a full time job, "me" time is so limited. It's so nice to escape into a theater and focus on something for a couple of hours without being interrupted by someone else's needs.

Hi Joanna! I am following your blog for quite some time now, never commented, except for yesterday...I feel pretty much down and blue nowadays, but this post and this idea that we should discuss our achievements as well made me cheer up!! Just moved to Canada from Europe so I have no friends here yet...you will be my imaginary friend from now on...:))

I'm game!Not watching TV will be hard (I do love being caught up in dramas and fantasies) but it'll be interesting to see how it'll affect my life. Looking forward to the next challenge!Greetings from Germany, Berlin :)

The no TV for a week challenge (or at most an hour a day- maybe) sounds like one I definitely need to try. I tend to use it as a way to unwind at the end of the day, but there's really so many other things I could do. Good idea!

tomorrow i'll be moving into an apartment where I can't get a tv connection for a couple of months, or an internet connection (where I stream all the US shows.. so this is definitely going to be a week of reading lots of books for me! I'm in!!

Absolutely NOT in - I would love a challenge that challenged me to DO something - not to GIVE UP something. TV is something we watch as a family on certain nights, and hubby and I have date nights with Sons of @Anarchy and Homeland - and these are moments that make me HAPPY!

I loved the Happy documentary. Especially because they featured the Cajuns (The Blanchard Family) as some of the happiest people! As a native of South Louisiana I was so proud we were thought of as such a happy group.

So glad you're doing this! I just watched that documentary a few weeks ago and actually talked to my husband last night about trying to go one night a week without cellphones, ipads or tv!Pathetic I know, but one night will be a big deal and a great start for us! Can't wait to hear what you and other readers do!

Great Idea! Sometimes I want to do "something" but I have no idea what?? This way I can use some of your ideas and because I read Cup of Joe for some time already I am sure that those ideas will be inspiring.

Don't watch TV but we're staying in a hotel one night this weekend and I vow not to watch the TV. Of course, since we're attending the Great American Beer Festival I probably won't be spending much time in the room anyway!

Easy Breezy, I hardly turn the thing on anymore-only to watch Parenthood! But I really want to try the "no complaining" challenge...I think it would totally revolutionize my day : ) Going to start right now!

Sounds super duper fun! I'm about to email a group of my girlfriends to see if we could all do it together and then email during the week to discuss. It's a great way to have a challenge, and stay connected with friends! :)

I think it's a great idea! I only watch TV in the night while I am waiting my husband... Really I don't watch TV, I turn it on because I don't want to feel alone! Usually, while I am "watching" TV I study...

I will definitely be joining you. I fall under the category of Netflix TV, which means I tell people I don't have cable, but then can watch 3 hours straight of Law and Order. It might be the season from 2004, but alas it is still TV. I think I may add to this challenge getting into bed early. My husband and I like to do this every so often. It is nice to read together, and also gives us some time alone, in bed... wink :)

I don't watch tv ; the big challenge for me would be one week without spending time on Internet (I don't speak of work of course, neither the really useful things, I speaf ogf reading blogs, facebook, etc...)

I love this idea! and loved the documentary! When I moved to my new apartment, I didn't have a television and had every intention of getting one, but never did when I realized how much not having one changed my life for the better. Television is so ingrained in our lives and culture these days, I think most people turn it on the minute they are bored or lonely, or even just out of habit, without realizing how much they miss out on while they are sucked into endless hours of entertainment. When I am bored, I have to actually think of something to do, instead of just flipping on a switch, and I have gotten so much done because of that! Books, crossword puzzles, house tasks and, most importantly, SLEEP!!!But the best part of ditching television is my new found love for radio. Oh NPR/WNYC, how I love you so.

Maybe another commenter mentioned this, but the oracle known as Oprah says that we shouldn't focus on being "happy," but instead be "joyful." Happiness is hard for people to pinpoint (the "what makes you happy") question, while joy is more obtainable and easy to define. Sounds good to me!!

it's easier than you might think. i haven't had cable in seven years or so and i honestly don't miss it, minus the occasional food network craving. at first you will find yourself thinking you are bored, but you will actually get a lot more done and perhaps not feel quite so sluggish. good luck to you all, i think it's a wonderful experiment.

I don't really watch TV anymore so this isn't hard. Except that I have to watch the Vice Presidential debate tonight. But otherwise, get all my news and watch all the shows online. Oh, but I do watch the Olympics on TV. LOVE the Olympics.

I was just thinking about goal-setting this morning, and how I need to be better at it ... this is a fun mini-version! I'm passing on the first challenge, though, because I'm actually making a commitment to watch more tv. Weird but true - I'm not a big tv-er and I really want to keep up with a few choice shows!

i do have to ask if watching movies count? i dont have cable so i rarely watch tv but i watch movies all the time... i always wonder if that counts as tv. i could even live without facebook (done it for like 5 months) but if you do the mirror fast as a challenge def count me in, that would be a hard (but necessary) for me. ps. you are awesome!

I haven't had tv for over 8 years...however, I am addicted to BBCiplayer so I will struggle with this. Can I still listen to Radio 4!! I am interested to see how my week changes. This is a great series.

Jo! This is awesome! I really enjoyed Happy as well. Have you seen Enlighten Up? Another good one, but the last 15 minutes are the best part of the entire documentary.Can't wait to see the other challenges! So, I'm already in the "no TV/cable club" like so many others who posted. Any suggestions for a challenge for us? I might try limiting checking my email to only 1-2 specific scheduled times a day. I get very distracted from important tasks by I'll-just-reply-quickly-to-this-one-message syndrome. :)

I'm game! I've been wanting to cut down on TV, so that's a perfect place to start. A few weeks ago I only allowed myself to turn it on between 8pm and 10pm, but I found that was plenty of time. It's amazing to see how creative and inspired we can be without all of the distraction. Looking forward to it!

I'm all for a challenge, but I just watched the documentary (and loved it-- thanks for the recommendation!) and it seemed to promote challenges and community, like trying to run farther or faster, reading a book you've been wanting to, spending time with a friend who needs it, or volunteering somewhere. I don't see how seeing a movie by yourself fits that definition, but I suppose a week without TV is a step in the right direction!

It's so funny that you would post something like this today as I have been questioning what it means to be happy myself! What a great and reaffirming quote! Love the Fall Challenge idea as well! Thank you!

Perfect-I'm in. Headed to NY for a few days of visiting friends and family and eating (!) so staying away from the tv will be a bit easier than usual. Can't wait for a bagel...no good ones in the Midwest.

I find the quote about happiness interesting. I'm not sure I entirely agree - I mean, I agree that curiosity and exploration definitely contribute to my happiness - but I also think that happiness is a choice, a philosophical outlook that we cultivate like any other practice (yoga, cleanliness, eating habits, etc.)

Great idea, Jo! Maybe add try a new recipe or improvise a recipe. Two of my favorite things to do when I am feeling blue are: reading a book aloud in foreign accent or having a solo dance party with the music blasting. Sometimes I like to dress ridiculously, since it helps me get into crazy character.

Anyway... I don't watch TV -- haven't had one for about 5 years, so there isn't much to miss. Sometimes I'm out of the loop when people start talking about the Bachelor or The Voice. What am I really missing though?

I'm so in ... for next week's challenge! Haha. We don't watch a lot of TV since we don't have cable. In fact I'm just settling in to stream the new Modern Family now :) I'm excited to see your other challenges.

I love it!Just yesterday on FB, I asked my friends their favorite recommendations of something to do, see, eat, experience, attend in my city. I've been getting so many great responses! I'm excited to try things I would never have thought of!

We have no cable as well and it's great (cable free since 2005 - we have a TV that we occasionally hook up to our computer to watch something but it's pretty rare). I found that I go to the library way more often and read instead to fill the time.

I still love television shows and we still download programs to watch sometimes but not nearly as much as when I'd sit in front of the tv mindlessly watching things I didn't even care about. The bonus is also that we we now only watch stuff we really WANT to see so I enjoy it more.

Joanna, you should read the book The Happiness Project. It was written by the ex-clerk of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. It's kind of what you were talking about- a small steps approach to being happy! It changed my year!

We haven't watched (much) TV since our son was born in 08, and it has been the best experience of our lives. I can see now that it was an addiction of mine growing up and into early adulthood, and I am so glad that the only times we watch now are the occasional football game with friends or family, or evening netflix dates after the children are asleep. Our sons (almost 4 and almost 2) watch minimal television as well - the 3yo watches an episode of Planet Earth on occasion and the 20mo does not get any screen time. This week I'll challenge myself with less computer screen time while the children are awake to see what unfolds!

Jo, I love this! My best friend and her husband at 31yrs old left everything they knew and took teaching positions in Liberia with the Peace Corps. No running water, no electricity, lack of proper sanitation and disposal. They left on June 7th and when they left I decided that if they can do without electricity for 2.5yrs, then perhaps I really don't need a new purse, or bracelet, or sweater. I decided to challenge myself to not shop for shoes, accessories, or clothes for a year. 18 weeks and still going strong. It's really opened my eyes about consumerism in this country- and also happiness.

This is great! I just broke up with my long-term boyfriend and started a Break Up Bucket List (things I want to do in the next year that I wouldn't have done while I was in my last relationship). This will be a great way to incorporate smaller goals into my everyday life along with my larger ones, like a solo trip abroad and yoga teacher training. Thanks! This is right up my alley :)

I will have to watch this documentary. Thanks for the tip. I like your weekly Fall challenges. But TV makes me happy so I'm not giving it up. I love watching the news and I just got my next DVD of Downton Abbey from netflix today....but keep us posted on your week sans television.

There's a pumpkin festival near the Carousel for All Children this Sunday in Willowbrook Park, Greenbelt, Staten Island, NY. It's kind of old fashioned and simple. Puppet shows too. Greenbelt Conservancy website - sigreenbelt.org

I love this idea! But Sunday night is Walking Dead, Boardwalk Empire, and Bob's Burgers... wow, maybe I should cut down on tv. I think I'll do no tv tomorrow and two other days this week. Challenge accepted!

I'm totally in! That is, once the A's are done with the post season, which hopefully will not be the case any time soon! I have noticed, though, that TV is a major detractor of adventures. Let's have some fun this fall!

I love the idea! I'm in! To be honest this week won't be much of a challenge, I don't watch TV, I have one and it's always disconected. I only have it for when my mom comes to visit and wants to watch her favorite shows. I quit watchingI TV a long time ago, I find it boring most of the time. If I want to see a show, I'll do it online or if I see a channel is National Geographic, but that's it.

Great idea, I do that all the time! Love it. How about eating VEGAN for a whole week? No meat, no dairy, no eggs, no honey. And watch out for the additives, they might come from animals as well.That would be fun, wouldn't it?LOVE and PEACE from Nina